Phyllis G. Cancienne

Phyllis G. Cancienne is a highly accomplished attorney with extensive experience in employment and health law. A former managing shareholder of her firm’s Baton Rouge office, Ms. Cancienne has dedicated her career to representing employers in complex litigation, compliance, and regulatory matters. She has defended clients in state and federal courts nationwide and before governmental agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Labor.

Ms. Cancienne earned her Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1989, where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and a semi-finalist in the Tullis Moot Court Competition. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in 1985. Her strong academic foundation laid the groundwork for her distinguished legal career.

With a broad practice spanning multiple industries—including health care, construction, higher education, hospitality, and senior housing—Ms. Cancienne provides strategic legal counsel on employment matters such as wage and hour disputes, discrimination claims, workplace policies, and OSHA compliance. She has extensive experience drafting employment handbooks, contracts, confidentiality agreements, and covenants not to compete. She advises employers on federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, GINA, ADEA, NLRA, and FLSA.

Beyond traditional courtroom litigation, Phyllis G. Cancienne delivers strong results in employment-related arbitration and mediation. She has led high-profile employment law cases, including a complex Title VII mass action involving more than 250 employees, which she resolved efficiently through strategic motion practice and cost-effective settlements. Phyllis also represents hospitals and healthcare providers in False Claims Act (FCA) litigation, medical staff governance issues, and peer review proceedings.

Admitted to practice in Louisiana in 1989, Ms. Cancienne is also licensed before the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal district and appellate courts. Her depth of knowledge and commitment to her clients make her a trusted advisor in employment and healthcare law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
• Member, American Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section; ABA/EEO Liaison Committee)
• Member, Federal Bar Association (New Orleans Chapter)
• Member, Louisiana State Bar Association (Labor and Employment Section)
• Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Member, New Orleans Bar Association
• Member, American Health Law Association

Licensed State

• Louisiana

Education

• Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Louisiana State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges